hands in the air

I cannot stop listening to "Dynamite" by Taio Cruz. It's embarrassing. In a month, I'm going to look at this post and shudder, both because it's a terrible song and the fact that I'm sure to hear it somewhere between seventy-five and one-hundred-thousand times between now and then on the radio.

I'm back.

Sadly, July is over, and with that comes the end of vacation. Minnesota was wonderful and Trout Lake was splendid, and now it's back to the grind of twelve hour shifts and figuring out what to make for dinner.

There are not enough words to describe Trout Lake. Anyone coming in from the outside would be appalled at the rusticity of it all -- chipmunks in the cabin, toilets on a slant, sand everywhere -- but there is such a comfort in knowing that every year, very little changes. Spending two weeks with quite possibly the most wonderful family on the face of the earth (even though we do tend to drive each other nuts once in awhile, but then again, doesn't every family?) becomes even more important as the years go on. There is no telling where we will all be at this time next summer, so we must relish every single moment together.

As hard as it was to leave the lake, there is somewhat a relief to return home to a routine. I always feel that when I come home from vacation that I will be a changed person, but I always end up quietly sliding back into old habits and known comforts -- relaxing on the couch, watching Jersey Shore (this has got to be the trashiest and most incriminating post yet), going to Crossfit, meeting friends for happy hour, coming home from work to a husband who loves me.

But I do miss The Lake.

When we come to TLC, we overtake TLC

Hanging out at Maple

Mis Padres

The Triple-Decker Hilda Burger -- instantly nap-inducing

Rawr!

This is only a small portion of the brats grilled to perfection this year

Sneakin' a taste

Waiting for brats!

Snack Bar deliciousness

The Streff Kids

Baby Liam

Baby Mason

"Diapering"

Only 337 days until Trout Lake 2011!